The only block of First Avenue SW previously under construction is now open to east/west traffic, after Keller Paving and subcontractors finished their work today, June 28. This block, from Broadway through First Street SW, was the first road closed earlier this spring and is the first to re-open to traffic. City staff responsible for the Downtown Infrastructure Improvements Project say they look forward to seeing more roads open to the public soon.

“It’s nice to have good weather for construction this spring and to have a contractor finish a block prior to the Fourth of July,” said City Engineer Lance Meyer. “As hopefully everybody knows, the downtown businesses continue to be open during this final year of construction on the underground and aboveground improvements – please come and experience the new sidewalks, roads, benches, flowers, and other amenities.”

Drivers are asked to pay close attention to the construction signage when coming to downtown. Some of the best ways to get downtown are by using Main Street off Burdick Expressway, Second Avenue from either side of downtown, and Central Avenue from the east side of downtown (Third Street).

The road still being worked on by Keller Paving is one block of North Main Street, just north of Central Avenue. This work was leftover from their 2016 contracted work in downtown. Wagner Construction’s work this year includes five blocks of Third Avenue South, five blocks of First Street SW, and two blocks of Second Street East. Wagner is currently working on nine of those blocks.

For the latest maps of the construction zone go to www.downtownminotisopen.com, and to view the latest construction photos visit “Downtown Minot is Open” on Facebook or go to the project website. You can also contact Mark Lyman, public information officer for the project, at 857-7205 or mlyman@odney.com.